Arsenal without NINE first team players for tricky Sunderland tie

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed Theo Walcott, Laurent Koscielny and Jack Wilshere are all out of the Gunners’ trip to Sunderland tomorrow.

Walcott made his return to action for the under-21 side last week and is set to make his first team bow next weekend.

Koscielny’s Achilles injury still hasn’t gone down and Wenger has revealed the defender could be out until the end of November, leaving him light on numbers at the back.

Jack Wilshere is suspended too after picking up his fifth booking of the season.

Mesut Ozil, Abou Diaby, David Ospina, Yaya Sanogo and France forward Olivier Giroud are all out, along with long-term absentee Mathieu Debuchy meaning the Gunners are without nine first team players for their Stadium of Light trip.

Wenger is hoping to edge Walcott in slowly after his lengthy absence and reveals just how much respect he has for the England man.

“I’m not sure to involve him, certainly next week,” Wenger said.

“Fitness wise he is there but contact wise I think he needs a bit more time.

“After seeing what he has gone through over the last nine months you respect him more”

“With Koscielny, I cannot give you any date. I hope he will be available after the next international break.”

“Diaby is not in the squad, has calf injury.

“He was out for so long that he gets little niggles. You wonder where he gets his attitude from. You come in every morning and he’s in the gym.

“That first injury at Sunderland was a major blow in his career.”

 

We should be looking to bounce back in a big way.

Hoping Walcott isn't match fit as his pace could leave our back four looking silly. Really need more pace at the back.

 

Bollocks to them, we had half a team out injured last week and none of the media mentioned it.

Some of those Arsenal players wouldn't even be regular first team starters in most games.

 

Still pack speed, we're slow and that scares me. I any case, anything is a bonus so long as we give 100%

 

Aside from PVA we're woefully slow. I'm a bit pissed off it hasn't been addressed. I wish we'd signed a centre back with average to quick pace. Nowt lightening, just not someone who'd get outpaced by Emile Heskey... Now.

 

Agree mate. Hope we have a busy January.

 

I think that's 'a given' mate, judging by Gus' body language and reaction not just to our defeat, but also to the lack of strength in depth, which he confirmed was not his call.

 

Still think we've got a stronger squad ability wise than last year, just sparse, like you say we lack depth. We need to get the points on the board mind you to get a decent January kity.

 

Wilshere on 5 yellows already - filthy animal ;-} - wonder if he'll get the same stick as Catts from the pundits?

 

Alexis Sanchez is just hitting top form. I'm worried he's gonna leave some scorched earth behind. Scary talent with tons of pace and skill.

 

Studs

 

Ha! Catts maybe?

 

If it's Seb Catts would still get the blame

 

Best not. Friend's in charge

 

All kidding aside, this may be a very dangerous game for Catts. The temptation to slow Alexis down might be more than he can handle. Let's just hope the first booking is Yellow.

 

Think Catts may have his hands full with Cazorla, Alexis will be inside left making him Vergini's responsibility.

 

They have to get near him, first. Guy is different class and should still be playing for Barca.

 

I don't think this matters a lot. Wenger can bring in a full team of youth players and they'll still look the same (and how many times has he done just that in the League Cup?).

This is why I was 100% behind Poyet's desire to take charge of the development squad. We need to train young kids a particular 'Sunderland style' so we can bring them through to first team status without looking out of place. In the past, we've taught kids how to play well for other people, with - Henderson and Colback apart - bugger all in it for us. I admire what Wenger has done, and I'm glad we've finally adopted it.

 

Cazorla is slower than ****, Catts can handle him well I think. Wenger gives Alexis all sorts of freedom to roam, he and Catts should have a couple of interesting, if not intimate, moments. The thought of Alexis free v Vergini is frightening.

 

Interesting that there is no mention of Welbeck, considering you all scared of your slow defence. Before he came to us, I never realised just how fast Welbeck is. His finishing is iffy, but his runs should cause your CB's plenty of problems. Our defence is also ****e, so it could be one crazy game.